Kit was rather anxious, but he laughed. “I hope Wheeler may have some use for me, but if he has not, I can take the road and play the fiddle. You, however, have got a pretty house, and if the company sent Bob back to the workshops you would be forced to quit.”
“Bob believes Wheeler has some use for you. If he went to the workshops for the winter, I would be resigned. The trouble is, he thinks to help finish the bridge would lead to his promotion, and he’s very keen. Sometimes I cannot persuade him I’m satisfied with a little house and cheap furniture.”
“Your husband’s a first-class engineer and ought to go ahead.”
“For all that, he carries an awkward load. His pluck is fine, but he was very ill in France, and he cannot stand for much wet and cold. On the plains in winter the cold is fierce.”
Kit pictured Austin’s shivering by the stove, and thought Mrs. Austin’s doubts justified; but since he did not know if Bob had talked about it, he must not.
“After all, our job at the bridge is softer than the workmen’s, and if Bob is cautious——”
“It looks as if you did not know Bob; but I think you are his friend, and perhaps you can induce him not to be rash. Then you can see he puts on dry clothes and gets proper food. You can keep the stove going, and so forth——”
Kit imagined it was not all Mrs. Austin wanted. The important thing was, she acknowledged him her husband’s friend.
“Where it’s possible for me to help I promise to do so,” he said and Mrs. Austin got up.
“Thank you, Kit. Let’s join the others.”